Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum-packaging and heat sealing a soft product, particularly a soft product comprised substantially of fabric or other similar sheet material (referred to herein as "soft product"), having a substantially impervious outer covering in an impervious packaging barrier bag, which provides a packaged product which is compact and uniformly shaped. An air flow panel is inserted between the barrier bag and the product to permit air flow between the impervious layer of the soft product and the impervious layer of the barrier bag such that there is even air flow from the barrier bag during the evacuation of air from the barrier bag during vacuum-packaging. A packing frame is used during vacuum-packaging which assists in creating a compact, uniformly shaped vacuum-packed soft product.